Ready, Set, Go? Impact of the Pandemic on Student Readiness: Laboratories, Preparedness, and Support

There is little doubt that the pandemic has had a significant impact on students' academic achievement and mental health across the K-16 spectrum. For undergraduate chemistry instructors, data on the number of laboratories students completed in high school and in what mode would be important information in considering what modifications could be implemented in the laboratory curriculum and in messaging about the laboratory activities. Additionally, shedding light on how prepared students feel to succeed at college work, how the pandemic has impacted their preparedness for learning, and what the chemistry community can do to support student learning can shape messaging on the first day and for subsequent activities in the course. An initial and final course survey that sought to shed light on these student experiences and perspectives will be discussed along with the impact on course messaging and structure.